Page 67 of The Mad Marchams

Mabel wanted to mention that they’d pretty much just had lunch at the tea shop but thought better of it. If Felicity was trying to engage with Ted, she was all for it.

“That would be lovely,” Ted said. “What time?”

“In about an hour,” Felicity said. “If that’s all right.”

“Perfect.” Ted nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Mabel noticed that the longer he talked to Felicity the more upper class his accent became, which was interesting. She’d noticed that Colin, Freddy, and Ted all made an effort not to sound too posh; whereas some of the older aristocrats she’d met seemed unaware of their privileged tones.

Mabel took the opportunity to text Colin as Felicity and Ted chatted.

Slight change of plans. Ted is here. Can we meet now so he can lunch with Felicity at one?

He replied instantly.

??? I’m on my way.

He came into the courtyard five minutes later wearing an old blue sweater with holes in it, jeans that were patched in a way that did not seem fashion-conscious, and a broad smile that was directed just at her. She smiled back, enjoying the sight of him as he strode over to drop a kiss on her forehead.

“You’ve got plaster in your hair.” She dislodged a chunk, and a cloud of dust flew up.

“I made the mistake of investigating a leak in the back parlour.” He grimaced. “And the next thing I knew half a cornice had come down because the damp was everywhere.”

“I’m sorry.” She patted his cheek.

“It’s okay. I knew it was going to be hard. I’ll just add it to the thousands of items on the must-repair list.” He glanced over at Ted who was engrossed in his plans. “What’s this about lunch with Flicka?”

“She’s definitely got a thing for Ted,” Mabel whispered. “And I’m all for encouraging it.”

“But what about Ted?” Colin asked. “He was practically engaged to a very famous three-day eventer who competes at Badminton every year.”

Mabel blinked at him. “What, now?”

He took her hand. “I’ll explain later. Now, let’s have this meeting, so that the path of true love won’t get derailed by the drainage trenches.”

Ted looked up as they approached. “Colin, thanks for the email. I’ve made allowances for that listed structure you mentioned and we’re good to proceed.”

“Nice!” Colin peered at the plans. “When do you think you’ll be able to start?”

“Next week if the weather cooperates.” Ted glanced up at the sky. “I’ve got all the local permits lined up, plus permission from every government department involved in listed buildings in the hemisphere to proceed.”

“Then we might as well make a start.” Colin looked at Mabel. “If we can get the stable café and visitors centre up and running along with the house tours before the end of the summer, I’ll be thrilled.”

“Amen to that,” Mabel said.

Ted picked up his plans and handed them to Colin. “Now, if I can just walk you through what we intend to do first, and spray some provisional lines for the initial trenches, I’ll be ready for lunch at one.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Colin took a deep breath and held up the key his father had given him. “Here we go.”

Mabel patted his shoulder as he fitted the key to the lock. “It’s going to be fine. I’m right here.”

He opened the door into the countess’s suite and a puff of warm, stale air with just a hint of old perfume surrounded him.

“Wow,” Mabel whispered. “It’s like no one has been in here in forever.”

Colin made himself look around the vast room which contained a four-poster bed, a mirrored dressing table, two wingback chairs by the fireplace, and two tallboys. There was still enough space to add a three-piece suite and maybe a pickleball court.